I worked as a working slave... I mean student for a lady who didn't ride her first horse until she was 40yrs old. She was around 60 when I started working for her, owned a huge stable with nearly 100 horses, ran a camp, was at prix st. George level, she's probably hit grand prix by now, had done lots of jumping and cross country, rode 4-6 horses a day (I know because I tacked them all), and showed and judged. She inspired me that even though I am now working my way into my mid 30s, that someday if I chose to, I can get back into eventing.

You kids are so cute. You're not going to believe you even made this post in another 30 years or so. Believe me, 40 feels just like 20 only a little slower and with hangovers if you drink too much.

I'm 43, have had a fair amount of time in the company of horses, Western trail rides, etc. and I just took up hunt seat in a moderately serious way.

The older you are, the better you listen. The longer it takes to put things back together after you fall, but the less likely you are to fall in the first place (because, believe me, knowing that a fall can wipe you out of 2 months of summer riding is a powerful deterrent to the kind of behavior that gets you into falls in the first place).

If you are the kind of person to ask "Am I too old for [insert activity here]?" instead of saying "Oh, no, I am too old fer [activity]" the answer is always going to be the same: No, you are not too old. (And to be asking this question in your 20s, which is your total physical prime, is...well, you'll appreciate the humor in it later...if you remember, that is.)

Crossover: 60 and grand prix?! WOW inspiration right there for me!! That is amazing!!

Serfina:LOL I hope so! I always felt riding competitively was one of those things where you had to ride your entire life? After these responses I feel soo much better, it's not so much daunting anymore!! Lol I really hope I do not fall, but I suppose cause this time around I am paying for the lesson and actually have support from friends and family I am really hoping to work as hard as I can and go far as I can! Your reply made made me giggle too :) totally made me less nervous for my first lesson!!

Alex - I actually have not seen many above 30 show jumpers in my town. Where I am from its a very horse dominated town but all the shows I have watched..well the riders could not be older then 15!! Thanks for the suggestion, I think will sign up for FEI!
Tinyliny: Yep!! I have quite a few friends who are trillium show jumpers and they started their first show when they were 11, now they compete with younger teens in the trillium level.

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